The Who's Tommy at the Hollywood Pantages

A boy who plays pinball like a prophet, a world that turns him into a star, and a score that still shakes the rafters. The Who's Tommy arrives at the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard on October 27, 2026, and stays through November 15. It is an easy pick for anyone building a list of things to do in Los Angeles this fall.

About the show

Tommy Walker is lost in the universe, endlessly and obsessively staring into the mirror. An instinct for pinball turns him from a withdrawn adolescent into a celebrity savior. The story grows out of The Who's 1969 rock concept album, and the stage version earned Tony Awards. Composer Pete Townshend and original director Des McAnuff revisit the material here, looking at how a classic story reads today.

Expect a rock show as much as a play. The production runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission, so it moves quickly from start to finish.

Know before you go

The theater recommends the show for ages 16 and up. Everyone entering needs a ticket regardless of age, children under 5 are not admitted, and anyone under 14 needs an adult chaperone.

The content advisory is worth reading. The story includes bullying, substance abuse and scenes of war. The staging uses loud music, non-firing prop guns, gunshot sound effects, theatrical haze, strobe, and flashing and laser lighting. If you are sensitive to any of that, plan accordingly. Broadway in Hollywood also lists accessible seating options on the show page.

Getting there

The Pantages sits at 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, in the heart of Hollywood. Opening night is October 27 at 7:30 PM. Check the official page for the full performance schedule and ticket prices, since this listing does not state a price. Parking, dining and hotel suggestions near the theater are on the Broadway in Hollywood site too, and it is worth arriving early to eat nearby.

Hollywood is full of live music and theater, but a rock opera in one of the city's grand old movie palaces is a particular kind of night. If you are tracking upcoming events Los Angeles has lined up before the holidays, this one deserves a spot. More shows like it live in our arts and culture section.